Islands
Cream is the order of the day in here. “The owners wanted muted tones and neutral colors, but the island is a warm green, which adds a contrast,” Mayes says. “We could have chosen a similar color again, but then it can all look a bit bland and same-y. The green adds color to the space, and it’s still warm.”
For this Victorian-era home in Northwest D.C., Smith’s team raised the floor of the third-floor bathroom, concealing modern plumbing underneath. “Now there’s one step up from the hallway to the bath,” he says. “This defines the hallway and enabled us to restore the ceilings one floor below, including putting back in the original crown molding.”
Complex, almost Z-shape design with specific working areas. The west end, near the cooktop, is a prep surface with cabinets and lighting hanging above. The long countertop in the middle is used for cooking complex dishes. The cabinets below, on the south side, store vacuum sealers, hand mixers and other appliances. The north side has large glass drawers that store and display china. At the east end is a bar counter with seating.
The copper is only on the island — used for food preparation and as a place to sit — and not on the perimeter cabinets, where the sink is located. “When copper reacts with water, you get greening,” MacPherson says, “so it would age in a different way.” The material was aged and distressed even before it was installed, however. “In an untreated state, it shows marks and scuffs straight away,” he says. “We weather it in.” Once in situ, the material acquires further evidence of use, adding to its character. The island’s pendant lights and bar stools complement the metal, adding to the range of industrial finishes in the design.
The floor and copper surface are paired with two shades of cabinetry. The perimeter cabinets are a slightly lighter shade than the darker blue-gray on the island. “The different colors break up the large space and help it feel less uniform,” MacPherson says.
copper countertop
PENDANT LIGHTS When thinking of pendant lighting what probably comes to mind first are fixtures hung in a kitchen. They are a great solution for providing adequate task lighting while also providing an opportunity to enhance or reinforce the kitchen design. Typically pendants should be placed 28 to 34 inches above the countertop, or 72 inches above the floor. Another tip in hanging pendants above an island or peninsula is to hang the fixtures high enough so that while standing you are not staring directly into the lights.
lights. the island is like a piece of furniture
rustic & industrial
midcentury
transitional
contemporary
modern look
kitchen has clean lines & neutral palette; several options for stools & pendants
pendants & stools
built-in pet bowls at one end of the island.
A 4-foot-wide clearance surrounds the island, creating good traffic flow. Above, the custom light fixture, made from Edison bulbs hung from a pipe frame, continues the industrial theme.
pendants
brick walls, a beautiful soft sage-gray cabinet color and attractive open shelving in this kitchen. A rich brown island base with a bright white counter makes an inviting place to chop vegetables or gather for a cup of juice or tea.
black pipe foot rail
dark color of the island emphasizes its role as hub of the kitchen
drawer in the island
drawer in the island
drawer in the island
a drawer for the island?
Here’s a closer look at the wrought iron look of the pendant lights, made by Currey & Co.
(the aluminum pendant shades in an antiqued charcoal finish that looks like wrought iron). The antiqued wrought iron look of the counter stools plays off the colors in the pendants. The brushed nickel finishes on the faucet and hardware land somewhere in between shiny and worn.
A gallery wall brings personalized style to a kitchen from Folkway Design & Wares that has neutral cabinets, countertops, flooring and walls. As an alternative to hanging the artwork, you could lean several pieces on a shelf and add a sprinkling of attractive kitchen accessories so that they, too, become part of the decor.
towel bar on side of island
stools are counter height, low back, leather cushions
drawer storage
drawer storage on island
raised chopping station on an angled island
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